Teacher Education for 2.5 to 6 Year Olds

Academic Component: June 17 – August 2, 2019

Independent Study Component: Principles Basic to Montessori Philosophy may be started prior to the academic component.

The child’s mind from birth to six is quite unlike that of the adult mind which must learn laboriously and deliberately. With ease and spontaneity, the child absorbs all that the environment contains within it.

The Montessori Method allows the child to work on self selected tasks of interest in an environment which features the teacher as preparer and guide of the learning process.

The child’s emotional environment should abound in love, security, understanding, and consistency. Only when the child is strong willed and well-integrated can he/she be truly obedient, for obedience represents will. The goal of the Montessori Method can be summarized in a few words: “. . . freeing the child’s potential for self-development.”

The Course Is Designed For

Individuals who would like to enter the field of Montessori Early Childhood Education;

Preschool, Kindergarten, and Early Childhood teachers who wish to use the Montessori method and/or Montessori materials in their classrooms;

Teachers who would like to work in already existing Montessori schools;

Individuals who plan to open their own schools and would like to use the Montessori Method;

Teachers who would like to use the concrete Montessori material for remedial work in Reading and Math with children in grades 1 to 3;

Special Education teachers who need manipulative and concrete materials to develop neuromuscular skills and abstract ideas.

Description of the Course for Teaching Children Ages 2.5 – 6 Years

Independent Study

Adult learners may begin the independent study component of the course before the academic component. Independent study consists of reading and written assignments on principles and philosophy of Montessori Education and Child Development. Required textbooks are included in the course tuition.

Academic Component

The Adult Learner completes assigned reading and written reports on principles and philosophy of Montessori Education and Child Development. These assignments may begin upon enrollment in the course. Required textbooks are included in the tuition fees.

The five main areas of the Montessori program: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural Subjects (including Botany, Zoology, Geography, Music, Art) are presented during this phase. Adult Learners are given illustrations and printed notes which make up the personalized Teacher’s Resource Manuals. Montessori philosophy, classroom leadership skills, observation techniques, record keeping, administration, the child in the family and community, child development, and supervised practice are also included.

Schedule: Held 7 weeks during the summer months. Adult Learners attend classes each Monday – Friday from 8:30 am- 4:30 pm. Three Saturday morning classes will also be required.

Practicum

Practical application by teaching in an approved Montessori classroom under the guidance of an experienced Montessori teacher occurs during the practicum. The Adult Learner observes, assists and participates in the classroom for a 9 month period. Monthly evaluations are made by the Adult Learner and by the supervising teacher. Financial arrangements are the responsibility of the student and the Practicum site. The Practicum is a minimum of 540 hours, usually scheduled in the mornings for 9 months. A curriculum development project is also created by the adult learner during the practicum.

A 16-hour Seminar will be held during the practicum year. Exact dates will be announced.

Final Assessment

Following the practicum the adult learner returns to the Montessori Center for Teacher Education for one week. During this week the adult learner demonstrates his/her ability to present Montessori materials, shares the years project, teacher resource manuals, and other assignments with the group. A written test on materials and philosophy is taken. Authentic assessment is finalized with course staff and the adult learner during a final assessment interview.

Schedule: Held in June or July each year.

To receive the AMS Early Childhood and AMS Associate Early Childhood Credentials:

1. Adult learners are not required to have a Bachelor’s degree in order to take the course, but must be, as a minimum, a high school graduate. Those who do not have a Bachelor’s degree are eligible to receive an AMS Associate Early Childhood credential. If in the future, a Bachelor’s degree is obtained, the Associate EC credential may be upgraded to an AMS Early Childhood credential.

2. In order to receive the AMS Early Childhood credential, the adult learner must have a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Early Childhood Course Staff

All core instructors are Early Childhood credentialed, experienced Montessorians.